1989 Volume 92 Issue 11 Pages 1869-1875
Although the topical treatment with steroids is the widespread method for olfactory disorders in human, the reports are limitted to clinical observations. The aim of this report is to evaluate the effect of topically applied of steroids in mice on the repairing course by the experimental olfactory disorders caused by zinc sulfate. The olfaction of mice was estimated by the record of behavioral task, using Cycloheximide, commonly used as repellent in rodents. When mice taste Cycloheximide for the first time, immediately the mice experience a very to the simultaneus memory of the odor of Cycloheximide. Those who once experienced the taste and odor of Cycloheximide, will avoid simply by the odor next time. Two bottles were offered to mice, one containing distilled water and the other 0. 01% Cycloheximide. When the mouse drank the distilled water, the response was interpreted as a correct response. When the Cycloheximide solution was chosen, an error. Twenty four mice were tested at ten times during a 10-minute trial, and the rates of correct response were counted. From the next day after the treatement of zinc sulfate, nasal application of 0. 1% β-methasone (group A), or nasal application of distilled water (group B) were applied to each group of twelve mice for five days.
The results were as follows.
1. In the first experiment, the correct response was 85% (group A), and 80.8% (group B), however at the second trial, all responses were correct.
2. One day after nasal application with a 1% aqueous solution of zinc sulfate, the correct response dropped significantly to 85% (group A), and 86.7% (group B). This was considered due to olfactory disturbance caused by zinc sulfate.
3. Five days after zinc sulfate application, the correct response of the group A was 94. 2%, indicating the recovery of olfactory function. The correct response of the group B has not changed.
4. Fifteen days after zinc sulfate application, the correct response was 92% in the group B indicating the recovery of olfactory function. The defference of the recovery peroids between two groups was statistically significant. We conclude that topical nasal application of steroids is useful method for the treatment of olfactory disturbance
